Three hydraulic systems lost at 36,000ft: The knowns and unknowns of the Air India Phuket-Delhi flight
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A preliminary AAIB investigation into an Air India Phuket-Delhi flight reveals a sudden triple hydraulic failure and a pilot who tested non-negative for psychoactive substances. The incident caused a sudden altitude drop, injuring 24 people on board.
Investigation into Air India Flight Incident: An Overview
The preliminary investigation by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) into the August 4 Air India flight from Phuket to Delhi has unveiled a complex series of events involving both mechanical failure and human factors. While cruising at 36,000 feet, the Airbus A320neo, identified as VT-EXO, experienced a sudden and simultaneous loss of pressure in its green, blue, and yellow hydraulic systems. This rapid mechanical failure resulted in an immediate disengagement of the autopilot and triggered stall warnings, leading to an abrupt 300-foot altitude drop over Odisha that caused injuries to 20 passengers and four crew members.
The Mechanics of the Hydraulic Failure
The technical aspect of this incident is particularly concerning due to the simultaneous failure of all three independent hydraulic systems. Modern aircraft like the A320 are designed with redundancy to ensure that even if one system fails, the others can maintain control surfaces. The fact that the aircraft lost pressure in all three systems within a five-second window while in cruise flight highlights an extreme technical anomaly. The AAIB is currently investigating how such a comprehensive failure occurred, which directly led to the loss of altitude and the subsequent cabin damage experienced by the 145 people on board.
Human Factors and Psychoactive Substance Testing
Compounding the technical crisis is the finding regarding the Pilot-In-Command (PIC). Following the aircraft's safe landing in Delhi, standard post-flight medical checks were conducted. While the breathalyzer tests were satisfactory, a specialized drug test returned a non-negative result for psychoactive substances. The AAIB has flagged this as a critical concern, prompting a recommendation to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to strengthen protocols regarding substance abuse among flight crews to ensure passenger safety remains the highest priority.
Operational Decision-Making Under Pressure
Despite the catastrophic nature of the hydraulic failure and the resulting altitude disturbance, the flight crew made the decision to continue the journey to Delhi. This decision-making process is a focal point of the ongoing investigation. The AAIB is currently evaluating whether the crew’s response, given the immediate loss of hydraulic control and the physical toll on the passengers, aligned with safety regulations and standard operating procedures for an in-flight emergency of this magnitude.
Broader Implications for Aviation Safety
The intersection of a major mechanical failure and a non-negative drug test for the pilot presents a significant challenge for Indian aviation regulators. This case is likely to force a reassessment of how the DGCA monitors pilot health and how airlines respond to sudden technical malfunctions that threaten the structural integrity of the cabin. The AAIB's final report will be vital in determining whether the PIC’s condition played any role in the management of the emergency or if the mechanical failure was the sole driver of the incident.
Conclusion and Future Outlook
As the investigation continues, with blood samples being sent for confirmatory testing, the aviation industry remains on high alert. The primary objective for the AAIB and DGCA is to prevent a recurrence of such a complex event. Ensuring that pilots are in a state of peak cognitive function and that maintenance protocols for the A320neo fleet are strictly enforced will be the defining trends for Air India’s safety policy in the coming months.
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